(CNN) - Sen. Rand Paul, a Kentucky Republican, will travel to the Middle East in the new year, his spokeswoman confirmed to CNN on Friday.

Paul will travel to Israel and Jordan in early January for the information gathering trip lasting a little over a week, his communications director, Moira Bagley, said.- Follow the Ticker on Twitter: @PoliticalTicker

It will be his first trip to the region, she said.

The trip will no doubt stir speculation surrounding his interest in a bid for the White House, which he addressed in interviews on ABC and CNN.

In the CNN interview earlier this week, he said, "What I've said is that I won't deny I'm interested - a little bit different than 'I am interested.' "

The trip will be privately funded and not paid for by the federal government, Bagley said.

Joining Paul on the trip will be evangelical activist David Lane, Iowa Chairwoman for Concerned Women for America Tamara Scott, Chairman of the South Carolina Republican Party Chad Connelly, and Pastor Brad Sherman, who headed up the Iowa pastors for Mike Huckabee effort in 2008.

His father, Rep. Ron Paul of Texas, made his third unsuccessful bid for the presidency this year and is retiring from the U.S. House.

soundoff(26 Responses)

Thomas

Israel moves to build 3,000 new homes .The plans include future construction in a strategic area where critics warn would kill hopes for a viable Palestinian state.

Sen. Rand Paul , there will never be peace until Israel stops this blatant disrespect and desregard towards others.
Do you expect any people not to retaliate , when you take there land , there crops , there water ?